Sports Betting Sites for Players In the Netherlands
Netherlands has a long history of betting spanning as far back as the 18th century when The Nederlandse Staatsloterij (national state lottery) was first established, which also makes it one of the oldest running state lotteries in the world.
Over the following few centuries, there was a complete ban on every gambling activity including sports betting due to growing social concerns and consequences of gambling including addiction, financial ruin and family disruption. During the 1960s the country's overall perspective on gaming started to ease a bit and this period was a significant one because some sport betting practices started to get legalized and run solely by the state.
By the 1970s the government started enforcing new laws which primarily allowed placing bets on horse races through a ‘Pari mutuel’ system and introduced further legislations for lottery and casino games. This decade also saw an opening of the casino – Casino Zandvoort, making it the first state – regulated casino in the Netherlands.
The trend of opening casinos increased during the following years and further gambling legalization in the country prompted the government to establish an entity which would control all of the different gambling formats. In 1996 the Netherlands Gaming Control Board was born with a sole role of running each facet of the betting market and maintaining the level on gambling in the whole country.
As we all know, the 21st century also saw a huge growth in online casino gaming, however, the Netherlands didn’t have a proper legal restraint and oversight of this growing market. In 2015, the government thought it necessary to remove Dutch players from the European betting sites and provide a regulated local sphere, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the official act was drafted by the lawmakers - The Remote Gambling Act (KOA), which came into effect 2 years later in 2021 due to the global pandemic.
Offshore vs Legal Sportsbook
All of the gambling, both online and land – based, in the Netherlands is regulated by The Dutch Gaming Authority (the Kansspelautoriteit, or KSA) which is also responsible for issuing licenses to any operator who provides games of chance. This regulatory body also puts great emphasis on responsible gaming and strives to protect those who have problems with excessive gambling.
It should be mentioned that clients visiting the Dutch regulated online sites can enjoy almost the same betting practices as seen throughout the iGaming world, except for the spread betting forms, non – sporting events (e.g. political events), lotteries and long – odds bingo games.
What are some of the key features of Dutch – licensed providers?
The entirety of online betting sites in the Netherlands are connected to a Central Register of Exclusion of Gambling (CRUKS), where players can set up self – exclusion periods that will be applied to all of the licensed operators. Good to know is that foreigners can also utilize this system by providing personal documents such as passports.
Furthermore, when you join a site, it is mandatory to set limits on deposits and play – time for each day, and the operators will also undertake certain steps to limit players who are showing unhealthy gaming behavior.
One of the key points here is that players do not have to pay tax on winnings obtained from licensed operators which provides for a player – friendly framework, however, both online and land – based casinos currently have to pay up to a 34,2%GGR tax to the state and it is speculated that this percentage may even increase in the following years.
The KSA rules are also pretty strict when it comes to advertisement of gaming during most TV/Radio hours and great importance is put on age & identity verification procedures to ensure that players are above the legal gambling age.
One of key upsides of playing in a regulated site is the clear dispute resolution path you can take if faced with a problem. First, you will be able to take your complaint with the operator, then the KSA and lastly go through the Dutch Civil Court. Keep in mind that mediation is also offered through The Foundation for Responsible Gaming (Stichting Speel Verantwoord).
What about the Offshore Sites?
Although not illegal for the players to take part in, the KSA stance is pretty adamant on unlicensed sites targeting customers from the Netherlands and thus they have imposed huge fines for the operators who engage in such activities.
But it is crucial to realize that unlicensed in this case means that they are not regulated by the Netherlands governing body, and the ones that hold licenses issued by Curacao or Malta for example need also to apply for KSA license in order to operate freely in the Netherlands.
By passing the Remote Gambling Bill in 2019, Netherlands allowed for an unlimited number of licenses to be issued for a maximum period of 5 years to operators based in the EU, however, more strict restrictions are imposed on operators residing outside of the European Union. These remote sites need to adhere to specific problem – gambling policies, as mentioned previously, and are required to pay a tax on their GGR (Gross gaming revenue) as well.
Some of the upsides of taking part in the sites not regulated by the KSA is that more often than not, these online casinos operate in a more competitive global landscape with fewer regulatory restrictions and offer seemingly better introductory packages, ongoing promotional material, higher betting limits etc. Furthermore, they usually have a more lenient stance on KYC procedures and include certain types of bets like Speed Bets which are not allowed in the Netherlands for example.
But it should be noted that winnings obtained from the sites outside the European Economic Area are subject to taxation and the responsibility for declaring and paying taxes fall solely on the player.
We’ve also mentioned that the Netherlands has a centralized self - exclusion register which is connected to every licensed operator, however the unlicensed ones do not fall under its domains and players can take part in gaming activities even if on a break period. This may sound good to some, but there is a thought that should be given if it is a good practice in the long run.
A recent study showed that some offshore sites deliberately sought after players who had excluded themselves from the CRUKS system and even uncovered that all of the mentioned casinos allowed for personal data to be shared with third – party companies which in some cases even resulted in loss of winnings.
Netherlands Betting Markets
The introduction of online gambling act in the Netherlands opened up their historically restrictive market and allowed for a significant revenue growth in the past few years and influx of offshore online casinos and sport betting operators to apply for licenses. Although the Dutch market retained its stringent regulations and demands that can be somewhat time consuming and costly, operators around the globe saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for online gaming services in this region.
Even tough faced with challenges of overly competitive online betting market which often feel more lenient on responsible gaming standards and sometimes even more lucrative, the Dutch scene seems to have carved its way into the iGaming world of sports betting by providing a safer and regulated space for players who wish enjoy a wide variety of popular sport events from the comfort of their homes.
What are some of the more popular sports in the Netherlands?
- Soccer
A home to legends like Johan Cruyf and Dennis Bergcamp, soccer is one of the most beloved and popular sports in the Netherlands. The deep – rooted appreciation of soccer spans over 140 years, establishing the Dutch national team as a powerful force by winning the 1988 European Championship and reaching the World Cup Finals 3 times.
The top – tier professional league in the Netherlands is the Eredivisie where the “Big Three" (Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV) attract the most bets.
Of course, betting can be done on UEFA Champions League, International Football matches when the national Dutch team is playing as well as other major foreign leagues like The English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and German Bundesliga to name just some.
- Field Hockey
Apart from soccer, the second most popular sport is field hockey, especially the women's national team which won the World Cup 6 times. Sport bettors will have an opportunity of placing their bets during the major international events but what attracts even more attention is the domestic Hoofdklasse Hockey league for both men and women as well as the annual Euro Hockey League competition.
- Cycling
It comes as no surprise that cycling is one of the major betting events as bicycles seem to be the most prevalent way of traveling in the Netherlands. Betting is often at its peak during the Olympics and Tour de France.
- Formula 1
Although much faster than the bicycle, but not used for transportation the Formula 1 bears a great significance to the country because of the immense popularity of Max Vestappen, who won 4 Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles.
- Kickboxing
Popularized because of its unique style, kickboxing is also one of the more beloved sports in the country which seems to be quite popular to bettors during the Glory Kickboxing promotion events.
- Volleyball
Volleyball ranks high in popularity especially during major events like Volleyball Nations League, or during domestic competitions such as the Italian Superlega, Russian Volleyball Super League, as well as the Super League in Brazil.
Apart from mentioned, players will also be able to place their bets on some other sports like Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Winter Sports and Horse Racing during major global events and many more!
Banking Methods
As a part of the European Union, the EUR is the official currency for betting but some betting operators also include currencies like USD and GBP to name just some. When it comes to banking options available, players will be able to choose a great variety of methods. So, let’s take a closer look:
- Credit & Debit Cards
One of the most popular payment options on the market are credit and debit cards as they often rely on security and insurance against theft, loss and damage. Dutch players will be able to utilize American Express, VISA and MasterCard banking options, usually both for deposits and withdrawals, but it should be mentioned that cashout times tend to be on a slower side (2-5 business days).
- Digital Wallets
This is a widely used method throughout the online gaming scene and the most common e – wallet you’ll stumble upon while playing on Dutch – licensed sportsbooks is Skrill. This method allows for adding funds in a variety of ways and then using them for depositing and withdrawing. The e – wallet is a great choice if you are playing on several different sites.
- Instant Bank Transfers
You’ve probably stumbled upon this method throughout the scene and the Netherlands is no different in that regard. However, some Dutch banks usually tend to reject transactions used in gambling due to the stringent laws.
To counter the fact, a special service was created - iDEAL, which acts as a link to players bank account portal and Dutch sportsbook operators and allows for secure transfer of payments. Good to know is that there is no need for making specialized accounts while utilizing this solution.
Are Crypto solutions accepted?
Yes, Netherlands is quite fond of these solutions and the majority of Dutch people are considered as avid crypto connoisseurs. The most commonly used cryptocurrency is Bitcoin but Ethereum and Litecoin can also often be seen on the market. In order to utilize these options players often tend to create a crypto wallet such as MetaMask or Trust Wallet which are particularly popular in the region, or simply use some other wallets they prefer more.
Bonuses
Bonuses are certainly one of the more important things when it comes to picking out a sport betting operator as players usually tend to prioritize those platforms which offer something of more value than the other ones. Having a well – laid out promotional plan will keep players engaged for longer while the addition of a loyalty feature tends to boost the overall experience and propose some custom-made goodies for the most eager ones.
What are some of the best and often found bonuses inside the Dutch online sportsbook sites? Let’s find out!
- Welcome bonuses
This is a promo that almost every online operator has in its repertoire and its purpose is to attract the new players and enhance their starting capital. Some of the more prominent ones are certainly the deposit match bonus which grants you bonus funds on top of your deposit once the turnover requirements are met and it is usually a great starting point for many clients.
- Free bet
A token given out by the casino with a fixed value that can be placed on a sports event, however the stake is not returned with winnings. These types of bonuses are often given as a welcoming offer, a reward for loyalty or some sort of compensation for losing first the bet for example. It is a particularly popular bonus as it offers a risk – free experience.
- Odds Boost
The bookmakers sometimes increase the odds on a specific market for a selected event or a player, and this type of bonus usually applies to a single bet with a strict maximum stake for the boost.
- Accumulators (Acca Bonus)
A bonus that is paid out as extra winnings on successful multi – leg bets. How it works is that if your accumulator wins, the sportsbook adds a bonus percentage to your winnings, so the more the selections the higher the bonus. It is important to note that each selection in the acca usually must have minimum odds.
- Cash – out Feature
This feature allows players to settle bets early for a guaranteed profit or to cut losses before the particular event ends. It is not that common on the online platforms but it is a bonus which adds a great value and should be grabbed when available.
- Cashback
Cashbacks are a great way of covering losses that occurred during a certain time period. However, the KSA – licensed casinos in the Netherlands are prohibited from offering these types of bonuses as they were deemed risky and encouraging in gambling participation. If you are looking for this type of a goodie, then offshore sites should be your go – to.
- Loyalty Feature
This feature is a way for the operators to reward their most loyal clients with ongoing rewards such as free bets, bonus cash, and other goodies which offer some real value for consistent engagement.
How to find a Good Sportsbook
As we mentioned earlier a big group of players are solely driven by bonus hunting practices and tend to overlook some of the other important things when it comes to picking out the best online sport betting operators. In this section we hope to bring some of the important key points you should consider before picking out a site.
First of all, there is a distinction to be made between licensed and offshore casinos in the Netherlands where the latter are deemed unlicensed because they don’t hold the KSA approval and are usually regulated by the governments of Curacao and Maltain most cases.
The distinctions between the two are more nuanced and are usually up for the player to choose which one suits their playstyle the best. For example, the Dutch – based sportsbooks are strict when it comes to responsible gaming and verification procedures as everything is highly regulated and centralized while the offshore sites tend to be somewhat lenient on the KYC procedures but may be lacking in the legal paths for resolving disputes.
With that said it is crucial to stay away from casinos that have bad reputation regardless of their licensing and those that do not possess any license should be avoided at all costs.
Of course, bonuses also play a big part when choosing the sites, the offshore operators can seem more lucrative with their bonuses but may come with higher wagering requirements which can prove difficult to reach. On the other hand, KSA – licensed sportsbooks may seem a little conservative with their offerings but the rollover tends to be much more manageable. It is also true that not all bonuses are available in the Dutch – regulated sport betting sites, for example cashbacks, which is also a thing to consider.
Comparing sites is a great practice. Some sites have better odds on certain sports that you enjoy but other ones have more lucrative bonuses. So, it basically comes to what suits you the best and what tends to be more valuable in the long run.
Also, a thing to look out for is the market you actually want to place your bets on, if football is what you are looking for then focus on sites that offer a strong variety of popular events in that sport and whether or not live betting is included.
You should always check for the availability of payment options as sometimes your preferred method of banking may not be included in the site’s repertoire. Make sure also to check if the banking method supports both deposits and withdrawals to save yourself from potential issues in the longer run. If you are a crypto gamer then look for the sites that support several crypto solutions you are using and be mindful of cashout times.
Customer support is also a thing to be considered and casinos that have a dedicated and properly – trained staff can help you out immensely if you are facing any problems and checking out the casino terms beforehand can help you out avoiding some of these issues right from the start. So make sure to take this factor into account as well.
With all this in mind, check out the list of all the available sites just below, and select the one you think is most favourable to you!
Written by ShellyS
Senior Content Writer
Expert On: Casino Banking reviews Gambling Regulations US Sports Betting
Further Reading
- Online Casinos that accept players from Netherlands
- New Online Casinos in the Netherlands
- The Best No Deposit Bonuses in the Netherlands
- Netherlands No Deposit Bonus Codes
- Tournaments for players in the Netherlands
- Cashback Bonuses for Dutch Players - The Best Offers in Netherlands
- Top 10 Best Payout Slots in The Netherlands
- Top Online Casinos for Netherlands
- Euro Casinos
- Casino Banking Methods for Players from Netherlands
- $50 or More No Deposit Bonuses for Players in the Netherlands
Sportsbooks: 89
Winnerz
22/03/22
Amonbet
11/07/25
100% up to €500 Free Bets
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
The reward amount depends on the size of the player’s first bet:
- 10–49,99 €: Free Bet of €10
- 50–99,99 €: Free Bet of €50
- 100–199,99 €: Free Bet of €100
- 200–499,99 €: Free Bet of €200
- 500€+: Free Bet of €500.
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €200
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €500 Free Bets
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
The reward amount depends on the size of the player’s first bet:
- 10–49,99 €: Free Bet of €10
- 50–99,99 €: Free Bet of €50
- 100–199,99 €: Free Bet of €100
- 200–499,99 €: Free Bet of €200
- 500€+: Free Bet of €500.
-
-
-
-
All Software
150% up to $1500
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
120% up to €2000
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
10%
Cashback Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
€30
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
125% up to $1000
Sign Up Bonus - Cryptocurrency - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
50% up to €500
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to $100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
150% up to €500 + 50 Spins
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €200
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to $500
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €200
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €300
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €200
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
150% up to €100 + 100 Spins
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100%
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
50% up to €500
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €200
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to $100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
15% up to $100 Free Bets
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to $100 Free Bets
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €1000
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
100% up to €100
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
30% up to ₮50 Free Bets
2nd Deposit Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
€30 Free Bets
Sign Up Bonus - Sports
-
-
-
-
All Software
Online Sports Book Odds
FAQ's
Is sports betting legal in the Netherlands?
What is the difference between KSA-licensed and offshore sportsbooks?
Do players in the Netherlands pay tax on betting winnings?
Which sports are most popular for betting in the Netherlands?
What payment methods are commonly used on Dutch sports betting sites?
Join today and start earning rewards
You will immediately get full access to our online casino forum/chat plus receive our newsletter with news & exclusive bonuses every month.
